Peacemaking Offering Will be Received

              on Saturday, October 5

     Since 1983, the Sessions of more than 4,500 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations have signed the Commitment to Peacemaking, indicating that they will incorporate peacemaking into the mission and ministry of their congregations.  October 5, 2008 will be World Communion Sunday.  

    "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called

       children of God, "said Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

                                (Matthew 5:9)   
   

     Peace is the wholeness and well-being that God wills for all creation.  Although the effects of human sin wound all creation, God is continually at work in the world offering healing, wholeness, mercy, justice, and peace.  God's peace is offered wherever there is brokenness - in individual lives, families, congregations, communities, nations, and creation.  God's gift of peace is most profoundly exemplified in the life and ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Christ calls all who profess faith in Him to share the gospel message of peace to a broken and insecure world.  Responding to this gracious gift, the church, as the body of Christ, is called to join with others to go into the world to build a culture of peace and nonviolence for all God's creation. 
    The Peacemaking Offering supports the peacemaking ministries of our congregation, East Iowa Presbytery, our Synod of Lakes & Prairies, and the General Assembly.  Please give generously!